Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting my Commencement matter. I acknowledge the correspondence I received last night from the office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, apologising that he could not be here, for which I thank him, and telling me that alternative arrangements were being made. Subsequently, this Commencement matter was moved from third on the list to second, which may account for some of the confusion on how the Commencement matters are being taken. That is way beyond my brief, however.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, for coming to the Chamber. He is always very welcome to the House. This matter proposes to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide equine keepers with access to his Department's animal identification movement scheme, IMM, which houses a central equine database allowing people to notify the Department directly when an equine moves residence to facilitate compliance with EU animal health law and the requirement for a record of habitual residence.

This has been pursued many times in the Dáil by my colleagues, Deputies Fitzmaurice, Lowry and Canney.It is a discussion they have had on many occasions, and I support it.

In short, it is about the importance of information, data sharing and identification relating to the equine sector. It also concerns the importance of recording the details of ownership and history and ensuring that records can be viewed and submitted by equine keepers. We are getting smart, and IT and other technology is now very much part of the game. It is also about the live traceability of horses and more efficient processes for equine keepers to register and be compliant with the requirements set by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding records, movement and traceability of equines. Such records will also be valuable in cases of regional equine contagious diseases and outbreaks.

As I have said, this is all built around EU animal welfare law. I am keen to understand how it is progressing. Yesterday, we had the second national equine census in the country, for which 29,000 census forms and contacts were made. That is a significant undertaking. It is important for equine keepers to fully comply with the census. The move now is to embrace technology so the database can be accessed. I understand the Department is in favour of that and there may be questions around it.

Regarding the equine census, I want to acknowledge and thank the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a very comprehensive question and answer session which it pulled together and posted on its website. It was very helpful. Based on the outcome of the census yesterday, there will be a measure of how many people are engaging with the system. As we know, the equine sector is important to our economy.

We had a debate yesterday on funding for the Irish racehorsing industry. We have to do everything we can to support the Irish racing and breeding industries. Horses contribute significantly to the economy of Ireland, in particular the rural economy, be that sports, racing or breeding. Kilkenny is of particular importance. I want to do what I can to support the sector. I also want to make it easier for equine keepers to comply with the various EU laws and agricultural requirements.